Visual Arts

Program
Three semesters of Visual Arts or Performing Arts are required for graduation from Marymount High School. Included in this must be two sequential semesters of University of California approved courses in a single Visual Arts or Performing Arts discipline. To be eligible for the University of California, students must satisfy the VPA requirement by completing two appropriate semesters in a year-long sequence. The second semester must be a continuation of the first semester, requiring the first semester as a prerequisite. For example, enrolling in either Studio Arts I and Studio Arts II or Acting I and Acting II would satisfy the VPA requirement. These two sequential semesters do not have to be taken in the same academic year.

Marymount students must complete the UC VPA requirement as described above.

Honors/AP Program
The Visual Arts Honors/AP courses are designed for the highly motivated and confident art student. Students engage in ambitious projects that stretch their basic skills and creative thinking.

Department Policies
Students seeking admission to Honors/AP courses must have a recommendation from their previous Visual Arts teacher.

Studio Arts I

semester course
open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

Studio Arts I is an introductory, project based course. Basic principles of art are explored through drawing, painting, and design projects. Artistic examples and philosophies, both historical and contemporary, as well as works of diverse cultures are explored as a source of inspiration and context for studio practices. Studio Arts I prepares the student for all other studio art courses.
Studio Arts II
semester course
open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
- prerequisite: Studio Arts I
Studio Arts II focuses on advancing art and design studio skills through exposure to new media and methods. Projects include digital design, printmaking, and 3D Design. Artistic examples and philosophies, both historical and contemporary, as well as works of diverse cultures are explored as a source of inspiration and context for studio practices. This course is required as preparation for Advanced Studio Arts A and B and AP Studio Arts courses.
Advanced Studio Arts A Honors
semester course
open to grades 10, 11 and 12
- prerequisites: Studio Arts I and II
This 2-D and 3-D studio art course is designed for motivated art students who want to create ambitious studio projects. Students further their practice with materials, methods, and creative problem solving. Art and design examples and philosophies are explored as a source of inspiration and context for projects in painting, drawing, ceramics, and sculpture.
Advanced Studio Arts B Honors
semester course
open to grades 10, 11 and 12
- prerequisites: Studio Arts I and II
This 2-D and 3-D studio art course is designed for motivated art students, who want to create ambitious projects within a 2D or 3D track. Students must choose whether to focus their practice on 2D projects (painting, drawing, collage) or 3D projects (ceramics, sculpture, wearables). Emphasis is placed on practicing techniques, craftsmanship, and concept building. Students are given demonstrations, challenging assignments, and creative freedom.
Visual Media I: Photography and Design

semester course
open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

Visual Media I offers an introduction to photography and design. Students develop creative and technical skills through the foundations of black and white photography, digital photography, and photo manipulation, including combining text with images. Media literacy, aesthetic properties, and the cultural context of images are discussed. Historical and contemporary work from a range of approaches are explored as a source of inspiration and context for our practice.
Visual Media II: Photography and Film
semester course
open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
- prerequisite: Visual Media I
Visual Media II: Photography and Film provides a continuing study of the principles of art and design in photography as well as an introduction to digital filmmaking. Emphasis is placed on techniques in color printing, digital design applications, and producing a short film. The works of historical and contemporary photographers and filmmakers are explored to provide cultural context and inspiration.
Advanced Visual Media Honors
semester course
open to grades 10, 11 and 12
- prerequisites: Visual Media I and II
Advanced Visual Media Honors is a course for the dedicated Visual Media student to advance their creative thinking and project making using photography, film, and graphic design. Having already been introduced to the basics of software and tools, advanced students take on more personal and ambitious projects within digital mediums. This class explores the work of historical and contemporary artists and designers and students develop a personal style and unique point of view.
Digital Filmmaking

semester course
open to grades 10, 11 and 12

This course provides practical knowledge of basic camera functions as well as composition, editing, and narrative structure. Students learn the pre-production and post-production aspects of creating short films. While learning the basics of cinematography and editing, students engage in personalized projects that demonstrate their technical skills and showcase their artistic point of view.
Advanced Digital Filmmaking Honors
semester course
open to grades 11 and 12
- prerequisite: Digital Filmmaking
This advanced film course furthers the ambitious student’s cinematography and editing skill and knowledge in digital filmmaking. Each student produces, records, and edits short fiction, documentary, or journalistic films based on a subject of their choice. Students interested in creating a film portfolio for college or other purposes are recommended to take this course.
Graphic Design and Yearbook Publication

fall semester course
open to grades 11 and 12

Graphic Design and Yearbook Publication students design the yearbook which chronicles Marymount activities and events. Students learn the fundamentals of commercial graphic design including cover design, typography, theme development, and layout. While working with new concepts and styles in journalism and design, students get practical training with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator as well as the essentials of digital photography. Students must meet publishing deadlines and work collaboratively and independently.
Advanced Graphic Design and Yearbook Publication Honors
fall semester course
open to grade 12
- prerequisite: Graphic Design and Yearbook Publication
Advanced Graphic Design and Yearbook Publication students design the yearbook which chronicles Marymount activities and events. Students learn the fundamentals of commercial graphic design including cover design, typography, theme development, and layout. While working with new concepts and styles in journalism and design, students get practical training with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator as well as the essentials of digital photography. Students must meet publishing deadlines and work collaboratively and independently. The advanced course students take a leadership role as editors to the yearbook and create a graphic design portfolio.
Maker I

semester course
open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

A 3D design course that submerges students within Maker based technology and tools through the practice of continued investigation. Manipulating forms within software, developing hand skills, learning design principles, and a spirit of invention are essential aspects of the course. In Maker I students “learn by doing” and strengthen their problem-solving skills through the Design Thinking method. Projects such as architectural design with prototypes, patternmaking and wearables, electrical circuits and LEDs as well as collaborative challenges are tackled.
Maker II
semester course
open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
- prerequisite: Maker I
Maker II furthers student understanding and practice within maker based technology, architectural design, and product design. The class deepens the student’s ability to create 3D forms through CAD, patternmaking, and malleable materials. Projects such as skyscraper and furniture design, textile manipulation and fashion, and working with forms in clay build a repertoire of material exploration and 3D skills that bridge the connection of 2D forms to 3D shapes.
Advanced Maker Honors
semester course
open to grades 10, 11 and 12
- prerequisites: A Maker I and II
Advanced Maker Honors will allow students to integrate processes and innovate with the tools and techniques of making that they have acquired from Maker I and II. Students will be asked to employ design thinking and gain more mastery of equipment and software within their mixed media projects. Students in Advanced Maker Honors are eligible for AP Studio Art 3D in their senior year.
Advanced Placement Studio Art: 2-D Design
year course
open to grade 12
- prerequisites:
  
  Studio Arts I and II AND Advanced Studio Arts A and B Honors
  
  Visual Media I and II AND Advanced Visual Media Honors
This Advanced Placement course offers the serious art student the opportunity to create a uniquely theme-based portfolio of art work focused on their chosen 2D Design medium: painting, drawing, photography, or digital design. Students commit to making an ambitious body of work that demonstrates a sustained investigation within their chosen materials, methods, and ideas. A submission to the College Board with images, written descriptions, and reflections of each work is required in May.
Advanced Placement Studio Art: 3-D Design
year course
open to grade 12
- prerequisites:
  
  Studio Arts I and II AND Advanced Studio Arts A and B Honors
  
  Maker I and II AND Advanced Maker Honors (or Advanced Studio Arts B Honors)
This Advanced Placement course offers the serious art student the opportunity to create a uniquely theme-based portfolio of art work focused on their chosen 3D area: such as, ceramics, mixed media sculpture, product design, or architecture. Students commit to making an ambitious body of work that demonstrates a sustained investigation within their chosen materials, methods and ideas. A submission to the College Board with images, written descriptions, and reflections of each work is required in May.